The government has announced the launch of a new interactive guide to help companies spot and tackle domestic economic abuse.

Survivors of domestic abuse are at an increased risk around Christmas, with police in England and Wales receiving an average of more than 100 calls relating to domestic abuse every hour.

Around 95 per cent of domestic victims experience some form of economic abuse, where an abuser controls money and the things money can buy. This form of abuse makes it harder for victim-survivors and their children to leave abusive partners.

The government said that the new tool, which is available on Gov.uk, aims to help call handlers at businesses and charities recognise abuse when speaking to customers and clients.

Based on a caller’s response, a trained call handler will navigate through the interactive tool to help identify potential victims.

This will support the handler to decide what help the organisation might be able to offer the customer as well as provide details of relevant charities and support networks.

Specialist charities such as Surviving Economic Abuse will be on standby to offer training to interested organisations.

"Reporting abuse can be intimidating, so it’s important that whoever a victim-survivor reaches out to for help – the police, a bank manager, supermarket cashier or call handler – they can give a supportive response," said Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs OBE, chief executive and founder of Surviving Economic Abuse. "We’re pleased the Treasury has launched this toolkit to support businesses to play their role in bringing economic abuse out from behind closed doors and supporting survivors to take safe steps to freedom."

The move coincides with £12 million of support for charities working with victims of domestic abuse, announced last month by the Chancellor at the Autumn Statement.

“We’ve made economic abuse punishable by law, but it’s just as important that we provide the support needed to help victims escape dangerous situations,” said financial secretary to the treasury, Nigel Huddleston. “That’s what today’s toolkit is about – the more organisations that use it, the faster we can help bring an end to abuse at home.”

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